When it comes to hitting health goals, many people lean into fad diets and pills when they don’t realize that what you eat is key to hitting those weight loss goals. In many ways, food is medicine to the body!

Food is just as important as medicine because it provides the body with the necessary nutrients to function properly and maintain good health. The food we eat contains vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that our bodies need to carry out various physiological processes such as energy production, metabolism, and growth.

A balanced and healthy diet can help prevent and manage various health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Some foods are known to have medicinal properties and can be used to treat or prevent certain diseases.

Moreover, food plays a critical role in our mental health and well-being. Nutrient deficiencies can lead to mood swings, cognitive impairment, and other mental health issues. Conversely, a healthy diet can improve mental clarity and boost mood.

Therefore, food should be viewed as an essential component of healthcare, just like medicine. By choosing a balanced and healthy diet, we can promote good health and prevent the onset of diseases.

What are the foods we are talking about?

Not the processed, canned, or boxed ones! Yes, those do have their place; however, it is not in the realm of eating healthy with the purpose of hitting health goals. We need to be focusing on whole foods.

Whole foods are foods that are in their natural, unprocessed state or have undergone minimal processing. These foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Whole foods are typically nutrient-dense, meaning they provide a high amount of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients per calorie.

Examples of whole foods include:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables

• Whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, and oats

• Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, and chia seeds

• Legumes such as beans, lentils, and chickpeas

• Fresh, unprocessed meat and poultry

• Wild-caught fish and seafood

Whole foods are an important part of a healthy diet because they provide the nutrients our bodies need without added sugars, unhealthy fats, or other additives that can be found in processed foods. By incorporating more whole foods into our diet, we can improve our overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Is this for everyone?

Everyone should be striving to eat healthy or find healthy alternatives, but sometimes that doesn’t work out.

Local nutritionist and personal chef, Emily Fiala, says that finding this balance looks different for everyone; however, we should be striving to eat whole foods as often as possible.

If you are looking for a more personal workout and nutrition plan, please reach out to Body Renovation Fitness Center. Our experts specialize in personal training and nutrition plans to meet your every goal! Feel free to schedule a free evaluation at our website or give us a call at 214-368-3539.